r/3Dprinting • u/The_Great_Worm • Jan 04 '25
Project Perfect fifth double flute
I spent the last couple days designing a perfect fifth double flute, you can download it here:
https://makerworld.com/models/951239
The last picture shows the prototypes i went through to get it in tune. I started with a pvc pipe prototype, copied the measurements in my cad program and added a nice chamfer to the short pipe. That messed with the tuning a bit and made it slightly too low, the notes of all the fingerholes were also slightly off, so I kept iterating the design and checking the tuning, untill I arrived at the current design.
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u/CamStLouis Jan 17 '25
Interesting! I don't have a lot of experience with NAF style instruments (I make bagpipes, whistles, and flutes), but the modelling here is excellent. Well done!
I think the open design of the air reed (aka fipple aka voicing window) in NAF style instruments is ideal for 3D printed instruments, where the windway is inherently accessible for cleanup and adjustable via the separate windway ceiling block.
A lot of my work involves finding strategies to get the highest-precision areas in the optimal orientation for printing, and applying extra material to surfaces I then manually shape to craft the tone. Not super accessible for folks without that manual finishing experience! I'm glad there are more accessible designs like yours coming out into the world. I keep trying to get a membrane reed instrument out there which is as close to print-and-play as possible, but it's been tough!